Microcurrent has been called the nonsurgical, or lunchtime face lift. It is a safe and effective, low-cost treatment, holistic alternative to botox and fillers, that counteracts environmental damage, aging skin and poor dietary habits, without invasive surgery. It is the best-kept secret amongst celebrities that want a firm/youthful but natural look.

Microcurrent is a treatment that physically firms and tones the skin through muscle re-education. This process is achieved by stimulating 32 of the 53 facial muscles at traditional acupuncture points with tiny amounts of electricity to re-energize their biological currents and re-establish muscle memory. The result is a reduction of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles; restored healthy glow of youthful skin; visible firming, contouring and lifting; and the tightening of sagging jowls, double chins, and fatty cheeks.

Microcurrent boosts energy of the cells
As people age, the body’s biological current and chemical energy slow down, cellular renewal takes longer and skin cells stop performing efficiently. This leads to multiple skin problems: loss of tone, elasticity, and firmness; fine lines; wrinkles; sagging—all signs of aging. Microcurrent can help reverse this process by re-energizing the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is known as the “current of life” and it is the ONLY energy molecule that the body will accept and utilize as energy.

Without ATP, the human body does not function effectively and will eventually deteriorate. Yet, the body does not store ATP; rather it is manufactured on an as-needed basis. Therefore, the impact of microcurrent to increase levels of ATP is significant.
Because microcurrent stimulates the production of ATP, it can be used to treat virtually any skin condition and has no age limitation.

Results
Results can vary by individual and skin type, are gradual, and will not just happen overnight. Most clients notice a difference after the first treatment. The effect is cumulative, becoming more pronounced after each treatment. The skin and facial muscles become noticeably tighter and more toned with each treatment. About 60–80% of the changes created in one treatment last for the next four to seven days. However, if not treated regularly, the muscles will return to their former configur­ation.

How Many Treatments do I need
Although the number of treatments in a series will vary depending on your desired results and the complexity of condition, a guideline would be once or twice per week for the first month, once per week for the second month, or until the desired result is achieved, and then once every four weeks for maintenance.
Although it may be tempting for you to neglect the check-up visit, gravity, toxins, illness and natural aging will eventually deplete the ATP stockpile if not properly stimulated, so I want to emphasize the importance of follow-through to maintain results.

The beauty supplement and food market has transformed over the years from hair, skin and nail vitamins to cookies, drinks, mix-ins, even sunscreens that are formulated with nutrients to nourish the building blocks of skin at the cellular level.

Clients today are looking for those holistic approaches to skin wellness and interestingly, you can find some ingredients that play in both topical and ingestible products. Examples would be collagen or collagen peptides, lipids and different antioxidants and vitamins. I have seen an incredible success on my clients skin (improved firmness, hydration and diminishing of the small lines around the eyes) who have been taking daily Collagen shots, a hydrolyzed collagen supplements from Image skin care.

Why is important to supply important nutrients from within?

Well….Skin’s antioxidant reservoir is the first line of defense against environmental challenges and oxidative stress. The reservoir is depleted naturally as we age and with exposure to UV radiation.
Replenishing antioxidants into our skin is a good strategy to enhance skin wellness. Interestingly, several natural antioxidants have been implicated in protection from UV damage—the number one preventable cause of skin aging.

Natural antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, such as pigments from the carotenoid family are leading ingredients serving as ‘edible sunscreens’ and complementing topical protection.

I did some research and found out that two-thirds of consumers see the concept of taking a supplement for skin care as normal. It is not surprising to me, as I have been taking beauty supplements for years. Two main supplements that play an important role in skin care in addition to collagen shots are vitamin C and magnesium. Of course, first I recommend drinking plenty of water with ingestibles, as not hydrating enough is a common mistake and consulting with your doctor. Additionally, we must understand that results are not immediate. As with topical skin care products, it’s important to consistently follow the protocol.

In order for an ingestible skin care product to really start working, the active ingredients, such as antioxidants, need to accumulate in the skin—a process which could take a few weeks.

It is wise to start thinking about dual approach of combining topical products that provide results you can feel in short term with ingestible products that slowly but safely enhance skin wellness and overall wellness.

If you would like more information about Yana Daily Collagen shots, please feel free to ask at your next appointment.

I am super excited to share something NEW with you! It`s been one of the hardest treatments to bring into my practice. I have been working on laboring this treatment for months so it is very special to me and I can`t wait for you guys to try it and see the amazing results.

I am introducing Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) also known as Microneedeling.

Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) is one of the hottest topics in skin care today-and for a good reason. It`s a clinically proven treatment that, produces collagen and elastin in aging skin. This is also known as Microneedeling, a process in which microneedles puncture the skin to stimulate and manipulate the body`s natural healing properties. This technology is a revolutionary improvement to traditional collagen-synthesizing therapies like dermabrasion, chemical peeling or laser resurfacing.
CIT/Microneedeling is a safe and effective method for all skin types to improve fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, reducing the pore size, skin tightening, as well as veriety of other skin ailments.

To better understand how microneedling works, let’s first take a closer look into the arena in which it performs. The skin is the body’s largest and most essential organ; it is in a constant state of fluctuation. Dead cells of the outer layers are continuously shed and replaced by inner cells that move up toward the surface. Skin is composed of two primary layers: the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outermost protective layer; it is meant to protect the body from outside elements and to act as a water-resistant barrier that prevents essential nutrients from leaving the body. The dermis—commonly known as the “true skin”—is the most important layer since it is home to the essential functioning components of the skin. This layer is made up of fibroblasts, which are primarily responsible for producing collagen and elastin.

Collagen makes up 70% of the dermis and it plays a vital role in the cohesion, elasticity and regeneration of skin. At the average age of 35, almost half of the collagen that we were born with is lost. As a result, degenerative skin changes can become visible. As the skin ages, it begins to lose its firmness and elasticity, but it can be rejuvenated.

During the process of micronee­dling, small micro-channels are created in the skin to activate the body’s natural healing response. While vertical needle insertion and a fast perforation process renders less discomfort (in contrast to other collagen-synthesizing therapies), there is enough stimulation for the ‘injured’ skin to shift into “regeneration mode.”

During the regeneration cycle, the body intensifies the release of growth factors within the deeper layers of the skin. As a result, collagen and elastin production is accelerated to heal the wound, which builds new layers of healthy skin cells. The micro-channels that are created offer optimal opportunities for better absorption of therapeutic serums.

Celebrities are sprucing themselves up for their debut at next week’s 89th Academy Awards. The Oscars are a chance for these superstars to let the world see what and who they are wearing on the Red Carpet. The pressure is on to up the ante as they grace the world with their presence. There are many items to obsess over when getting “Red Carpet Ready”.

Outfit, hair, jewelry, shoes, makeup, skin care and skin care treatments are among the few considerations in becoming “Red Carpet Ready”. According to Primped.com.au, Oscar nominated LaLa Land co-star, Emma Stone makes sure to use a tinted moisturizer or BB cream to achieve a “velvet-like” base for her flawless skin.

Every great painting begins with a beautiful and clean canvas. Tinted Moisturizers, BB Creams, Primers and exfoliators are all products that are often used to achieve a smooth, clean canvas but your skin treatments are of equal importance. As with diet and exercise you will have longer lasting and impactful weight loss when you consider lifestyle changes in both areas. Your skin care success is similar. Impeccable skin comes with seeking professional assistance with both your homecare and professional skin treatments.
“Every great painting begins with a beautiful and clean canvas”

A “lunch time peel” followed with the Coolifting is a great way to achieve impeccably smooth skin right before an event. A lunch time peel is a quick treatment using alpha hydroxyl acids, usually referred to as AHA’s. Coolifting is the latest technology available where hyaluronic acid gets infused with CO2. Skin is immediately smoother, lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced, and collagen gets a stimulating boost in your dermis. These types of treatments can be done in no time without harsh effects or peeling. In fact, these types of professional treatments immediately lift, tone, firm, and smooth your skin, creating the perfect canvas for your makeup.
Like our celebrity “icons”, we have red carpet events that we need to make sure that we are ready for. Start prepping your skin for a more youthful, smooth and flawless canvas by incorporating retinols or AHA’s into your skin care regimen. Make sure that you stop using these ingredients at least 7 days before your professional treatment with your skin therapist. And, you too can be “Red Carpet Ready”.

Clinets like to follow celebrity trends; however, the celebrity trend of skipping the A.M. cleanse is one they should not follow. Celebrities like Kirsten Dunst, Alexa Chung and Kristen Bell have said they don’t wash their face in the morning, according to a report by a Observer. I have to tell you that this is a terrible idea.

Why It’s Bad
We sweat when we sleep. Also, skin picks up detritus from pillows. Retinoids and pm products should be washed off before the application of am products. In addition, it is important for skin to be clean for better product absorption.

How To A.M. Cleanse
Although we must cleanse in the morning, we do not need the double cleanse as we may have to do an night. However, most skin care professionals recommend having two cleansers on hand depending on skin condition.
The client needs an emollient cleanser if the client is dehydrated, a non-drying gel cleansers if the client’s skin is feeling normal to oily and something mild if the skin is feeling irritated.

Why is cleanser important?

Cleanser creates a clean canvas for the applications that are following. If skin isn’t properly cleansed, the products will not be able to penetrate properly into the skin. They will seat on top of the surface and you will not get the benefits that you should get from the.
Invest in a good cleanser, its usually the cheapest item in the routine, but many people think they can get away with a over the counter drying, toxic cleanser.

“How do I get rid of a blemish fast?” is a very common question I get from my clients.

Here are my five expert tips for getting a zit to go away quickly, while minimizing a stubborn red scar and post inflammatory pigmentation.

1. Your body will do everything it can to heal a blemish fast. The human body is truly amazing. The expression “time heals all wounds” is true when it comes to our minds, bodies and skin. For example, when a smoker finally decides to quit smoking, the lungs can actually start to heal themselves from the damage associated with nicotine. When you accidentally cut yourself, the skin quickly stimulates repair processes to help close and heal the wound. When it comes to blemishes, when one appears, your skin will do everything it can to get it to heal and make it go away fast—even if you do not treat it with a topical acne spot treatment. (Note: The tooth is the only part of the human body that can’t repair itself.) …

2. When you get a red, painful blemish, ONE of two things will happen:The infection inside the blemish will work its way up to the surface of the skin resulting in a whitehead. If your skin could talk, it would say, “There is an infection and I want it out. The way I’ll take care of this is to excrete the infection through the skin’s surface.” This type of blemish is called a pustule.

OR

The infection will NOT come up to the surface. It will stay deep within the skin until the body eventually re-absorbs it. If your skin could talk, it would say, “I’m just going to hang out down here for a bit. Don’t worry, I’ll go away on my own but I’m going to be kind of an annoying bump for a while.” This type of blemish is called a cyst.

3. To get it to go away quickly, choose and use your spot treatments wisely.
FOR PUSTULAR BLEMISHES: The best course of action is to NOT act the minute you feel it coming on by using a overly drying spot treatment, instead, apply an anti-inflammatory acne treatment like Dermaclear Serum or simply leave it alone and wait a day or two for the infection to appear on the surface. Waiting will allow you to effectively control the blemish without damaging and drying out the skin. Once the whitehead is truly visible, gently squeeze out the infection with your fingers wrapped in tissue and then once it’s removed, apply a spot-drying treatment, which will work its way into the opening of the skin and dry things up from within. If you apply a drying treatment before the whitehead is on the surface, it will simply dry out the surface of the skin keeping the infection trapped underneath for longer which ultimately will make the blemish last longer and cause more damage to the skin. However, at any stage of the breakout, it’s a good idea to try to keep the blemish calm and bacteria minimized.

FOR CYSTIC BLEMISHES: Mostly occurring in the chin and jaw areas, it is important to remember that cysts are like submarines; they are meant to stay under the skin. No matter what method you employ, cysts will never rise to the surface of the skin. This means no picking!

4. Picking at a blemish only makes things worse.
When a blemish appears, it is embarrassing. The whole point of picking it is that you don’t want anyone to see it, so you are trying to get rid of it. However, you must ask yourself this: What is more noticeable, a closed bump or an oozing, bleeding scab? A bump is smooth, can be camouflaged with makeup and is only glaring in certain lights. A scab, on the other hand, is a rough surface that doesn’t take well to makeup and becomes impossible to hide during the healing process and for a long time after. What I thought was helping me was actually detrimental for my looks. Not only that, but picking is rough on the skin. Need more reasons to sit on your hands?

-It is Unsanitary: An open wound is open to infection
-It is Unattractive: Scabbing is a drawn-out process filled with dried flakes.
-It is Damaging: Take it as a sign that pitting sounds suspiciously close to picking.
If you must squeeze, only do so when the whitehead is truly visible.

5. After a blemish is healed, wearing sunscreen will help the scar fade more rapidly.
A post-breakout scar is dark in color because the inflammation from the blemish triggers the skin to produce pigment cells. The solution to get it to fade as quickly as possible is to use a skin lightening, exfoliating and anti-inflammatory product. Did you know wearing sunscreen helps expedite the healing and fading process? If the affected skin is exposed to daylight, the UV rays stimulate the melanin cells – even if it’s cloudy outside – making the scar darker and redder in color and visible longer. For acne-prone skin, it’s very important to find a sunscreen formula that doesn’t clog the pores or encourage acne and breakouts. Check out our best-selling Image Oil-Free Prevention SPF 32.

Bottom line: Be smart when it comes to caring for your blemishes. Think before you treat and your blemish will be gone in no time. The choice is yours.

Holiday season is just around the corner. This is the time where we get busy with parties, family events, shopping and other things that go along with the holidays.
This is a busy time, time of stress and as you know stress is not good for the body, especially not beneficial for the skin….

As the season is approaching I have been noticing that some of my customers are canceling appointments because they fill like they can’t afford a facial because holidays are approaching.
Well… the truth is- this is the time you should be caring for the skin even more!!
You have parties to attend to, family events where you want your skin to glow, since you will see people you haven’t seen in a while.
I am pretty sure you don’t want them to think…”Oh gosh she has aged since the last time i saw her”… With the holidays, there comes the fact that our diet doesn’t stay consistent and the healthiest. We tend to consume more adult beverages than usual, eating more sweets and drinking water goes out of the window….
All this factors are creating problems in the body, and since the skin is the largest organ, it gets effected the most.

Please think about those things before you make a decision and cancel your monthly appointment. Skin is not like hair where you can see the roots and you have to have them color, nor it is like nails!! Skin damage creeps on us slowly, you can’t tell its unhealthy and that it needs attention until its really badly damages, dehydrated, not glowing looking and you feel like you need help. When you get to that point, you went way too far.

Always remember that prevention is easier and therefore cheaper than it is correction. For a monthly facial you spend less than your monthly cost of coffee at the Sturbacks every morning.